Distillation apparatus and process



May 13 1924. v 1,493,758

l R. D. LAMIE ,DISTILLATION APPARATUS AND PROCESS Filed Sept. l2. ).922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 is@ www QW@ /73 @TVI/ y DMLA y@ @uw www May 13 1924. 1,493,758

R. D. LAMIE DISTILLATION APPARATUS AND PROCESS Filed Sept. l2, 192,2 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 13, 1924. 1,493,158

R. D. LAMIE DISTILLATION APPARATUS AND PROCESS Filed Sept. '12, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 13, 1924.

UNITED STATES RALPH DAVID LAMIE` OF HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

DISTILLATION APPARATUS AND PROCESS.

Application led September 12,r 1922.

To all fio/2,0m t may concern Be it known that I, RALPH DAVID LAMIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Huntington, in the county of Cabell and State of Test Virginia, have invented a certain new and iseful Improvement in Distillation Apparatus and Processes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a process of and apparatus for distilling volatiles from solid or substantially solid substances and has for one purpose the coking of coal. Another object is to provide for the coking of coal with a minimum of agitation or disturbance of the coal during the coking process. Another object is the provision of a process and apparatus for coking coal wherein the distillation is accomplished at a relatively low temperature. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the following drawings, wherein:

Figures l and 2 are a vertical longitudinal section of my apparatus.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Like parts are illustrated by like symbols throughout the drawings.

A is a distillation chamber which may be lined, for example, with the lire-brick lining A1, and is preferably divided into a plurality of separate or substantially separate compartments by means of the transverse vertical. partitions A2 which extend from the top to bottom of the distillation chamber, leaving, however, openings A3 through which the coal conveyor may pass.

A* are any suitable discharge vents through which the products of distillation may pass from each compartment to any suitable collection. disposal or storage means not herein shown,

The bottoni of the distillation chamber A1 is preferably formed by a horizontal floor B of carborundum. or any other suitable heat resisting and ready heat transmitting material.

A section B1 of this Hoor element projects outwardly beyond the end of the distillation chamber.

Underlying the floor B are a plurality of combustion chambers C separated from eachv other by partitions C1 built of or lined with Serial No. 587,721.

fire-brick. Each separate combustion chamber C is provided with one or more gas burners or other suitable combustion means C2 which are provided with gas or any other suitable fuel through a distribution system, the details of which need not be herein described, but which is diagrammatically illustrated as a longitudinal feed pipe C1", it being understood that each burner may be separately adjusted. It will be obvious that my device might be made with a single combustion chamber beneath the conveyor supporting floor, but I illustrate herein the preferred construction. From each combustion chamber C leads a lateral opening C which in turn opens on the vertical flue C12 which leads to any suitable outlet G13.

Adapted to travel across or along the floor B is an endless conveyor D which is formed of a plurality of flat plates D1 pivoted to each other as at D2 and vconnected in any suitable manner. Outwardly projecting from each oint in the conveyor is a cylinder D3. Each individual plate D1 is provided with a flat bottom adapted, as shown in Figure 3, directly to conta-ct the floor B throughout much or all of the area of the plate.

One or more of the plates may be provided with a scraper diagrammatically illustrated as D adapted to scrape from a surface of the plate B any coke or other substance which might sift through to the floor of the distilling chamber.

A side ledge D5 lines the end of each plate and forms a side wall along the entire conveyor.

The conveyor may be driven in any suitable manner but I diagrammatically illustrate a motor means E and a drive therefrom through the belt E1, a pulley E2, the belt Es the speed controlling elements E4, E5, the belt E(s and finally the driving element E7 about which the conveyor passes. I have illustrated the element E7 as being smooth surfaced, but obviously it may be indented as a sprocket to engage any suitable elements on the conveyor chain.

Orerlying the outer projection B1 ou the floor B is a coal delivery chute if which is supplied with coal which passes through the hopper F1 and through the opposed feeding rollers F2. Any suitable feed may be provided to maintain a constant supply of coal. In the coking operation the coal is delivered by the chute F to the conveyor D as it passes inwardly across the shelf B1 to the passage A10 in the end wall A12 ot the distillation chamber. The coal thus supplied may be spread in a smooth layer upon the conveyor, means therefor being indicated as a` brush or roller F5 driven by ay belt FG from the driving element E7. FS is any suitable" vertical adjusting; means herein illustrated a, a vertical screw threaded shaft and nut cooperating therewith.

Vhen the conveyor has passed through the entire length ot the combustion chainber A., it en'ierges through the end wall A by the aperture A. and passes about the wheels or sprockets E10. E12 between which may be positioned any suitable belt tigl'itenina1 means not herein described in detail.

The chain then passes through what I call a reheatinn' chamber G which is provided with a plurality of burners G1 which may be provided with gas or other suitable fuel through the system diagrammatically illust ated as the supply pipe C10.

Mounted along the sides ot the reheating chamber G is any suitable supporting element G2 to which is secured a channel iron G3, there being such a support and channel iron at the saine height along each side of the chamber, the dimensions of the channel iron andthe width of the chamber being such that the elements D3 of the chain penetrate there-in to support the chain as it travels through the reheatinu' chamber. The reheatine' chamber beneath the chain is divided by the tire-brick partitions G5 into a plurality of chambers G4 in each ot' which one or more of the burners G1 are positioned.

In order to prevent the ignition ot the products ot' distillation from the reheating chamber, I provide a gas proof seal at each end or" the chamber, it being` understood that the two seals are identical. For the seal l employ molten leach but any otherl suitable material might be used which is liquid but not volatile at the temperature necessary to be maintained in t-he course of distillation.

H is a supporting vessel beneath which is a heating chamber H1 heated by a burner H2 of any suitable type. The aXis of the sprocket E12 and of the similarly placed sprocket E atI the opposite end of the lower reach ol the chain is beneath the level of the lead. which thus serves to lubricate the sprocket bearings. As the chain passes around the sprocket it is forced by it beneath the level of the molten lead on which it would nornially tend to float. l/Vhen it passes beyond the sprocket its fiat under surface is contacted by the guide roller or element H4 which is mounted at the extremity of a guide H5 so proportioned and shaped 'as tocooperate with the opposite wall H6 of the vessel H to direct the chain to the opposed channel iron supports G2.

ln order to prevent the escape and wastot the volatiles and to permit the accurate regulation of the temperature Within thel system, the spaces through which the chain passes at either end outside o'l' the distillation and reheating` chambers and above the surface oit the molten lead are inclosed bv the air tight casingfs J, J1.

K is any suitable scrapingl element pivoted as at Kl upon any suitable structure or support and adapted to engage at its upper or outer edge K2 the upper surface of each element o'f the conveyor chain as it passes over the sprocket E10. The material thereupon passes over the scraper and is dropped down the chute K3 for suitable conveyance or disposal. Any suitable means not herein disclosed, may be provided `tor maintaining the pressure within the distillation system at such a point that 'the outside air will neither pass down into the system through the coal crusher nor pass up into it through the colte discharging chute.

It will be understood that while I have illust-rated a practical embodiment ot my my drawings and specification. be taken asr in a large sens-e diagrammatic.

The use and operation oit my invention are as follows:

I provide a coking oven in which coal may be coked at a relatively low temperature and without agitation of the coal. I provide also means for leading olf the products of distillation at various points during: the distillation process, thus initially segregating the various grades and types of the distillation product. l also provide a distil lation system in which the temperature to which the coal is subjected is not merely controllable as a whole, but is separately controllable along the various points past which the coal travels during distillation. I also provide means for varying the time during which the coal is exposed to heat. particularly by varyinglr the travel of the coal through the heating Zone. l also provide means for maintaining` the chain at a relatirely high heat and `tor introducingr it into the distillation chamber al a high heat in order to prevent the necessity ot reheating the chain in the distillation chamber. In order to make this reheatina of the chain possible, segregate the distillation chamber from the reheating chamber by gas proof seals. n practice the apparatus is worked as follows:

The endless conveyor passes through the beyond the distillation chambers.

distillation chamber or chambers, receiving coal at a point adjacent its entry into said chamber or chambers and delivering coke to the coke discharge chute after it has passed The coal is supplied through a hopper and feed rollers to an inclined chute which deposits it on the conveyor as the conveyor passes over the shelf B1 adjacent the entrance A10 into the distillation Zone. The coal layer may be evened olf on the conveyor, tor example, by the .brush or roller F5 illustrated in Figure 1. lVhen the eomeyor has deposited its coke which is scraped oit by the pivoted scraper li as the (icoljiveyor chain passes around the sprocket E10, the chain passes through a molten lead or other suitable `gas proof seal to the reheatingchamber. The sprocket E12 forces the chain beneath the level of the molten pool and as the chain passes beyond the sprocket it is guided by the roller H4 and the guide H5, against which it rises ir response to its relative lightness as compared to the molten metal in which it is immersed The member li-l5 guides the chain to the -lateral channels or grooves in the reheatinfr chamber along which it passes. The axis and the bearings of the sprocket E12 are beneath the level of the molten metal and the bearings are lubricated thereby. The chain is heated in the reheating chamber to such a temperature that when it passes out of the reheating chamber and through the second molten seal and again into the distillation chamber its temperature is but slightly below that ot the distillation chamber. he reheating chamber is shown as divided into a plurality of combustion chambers over which passes the chain, but obviously a single cham* ber might be used or any other suitable chain heating means.

The bottom plate B of the chamber is directly heated by a plurality of combustion chambers positioned therebeneath throughout its length and is preferably ot carborundum or any other suitable material which readily transmits heat. The conveyor chain itself is provided with a hat surface, the lflat bottom of each et the plates of the conveyor lying directly against the top ot the heated floor of the chamber. When the chain and the chamber are thoroughly heated, there is thus a direct and ellicient heat transmission from the combustion chambers to the coal carried by the conveyor.

The heat ot the chamber may be adjusted to suit the maximum eliiciency and economy in the distillation ot' each type of coal dealt with and the temperature ot the various subchambers into which the distillation chamw ber is divided may be separately regulated, as tor example, by the regulation ot the temperature ot the individual combustion chambers. second means of controlling; the heating of the coal is provided by varying the speed of travel of the conveyor through the distillation chamber, it being thus possible readily to regulate the degree to which the volatiles are distilled out of any particular grade of coal. It is thus possible to distill off any desired percentage ot the volatiles and to produce a coke having within a very small percentage any desired percentage of volatiles.

In practice it is desirable to divide the distillation chamber into two or more separate units, each with its exhaust means Jfor the product ot distillation. Thus the primary products ot distillation are separated during the distillation process itself, the number of separate distillation chambers and exhaust means depending' upon the required degree of initial separation.

It desired the heated coke may be passed beneath the power source in order that its heat may be practically utilized; also the distillation product itself may be used as fuel in the course ot the operation. lt is obvious that while l have illustrated an apparatus particularly efficient for the coking of coal, immaterial modifications only are necessary to set it to the distillation of any solid or semi-solid substance from which volatiles may be removed by heat. My invention is particularly adaptable to the distillation of oil shale.

I claim:

l. In a @cking oven a distillation chamber and means for heating it, an endless conveyor passing therethrough, and a separate reheating chamber through which the endless conveyor is adapted to pass, and sepa-- rate means for heating it.

ln a coliingz oven a distillation chamber and means forv heating it, an endless conveyor passing therethrough, and a separate reheating chamber through which the endless conveyor is adapted to pass, and separate means for heating it, and a gas tight seal between the two chambers,

3. ln a colring,jr oven a distillation chamber and means for heating; it, an endless conveyor passing theretln'oueh, and a separate reheating chamber through which the end less conveyor isadapted to pass. and separate means for heating it, and a tight seal between the two chambers comprising a pool of molten metal through which the endless conveyor is adapted to be passed.

4. In a coking oven a distillation chamber and means for heating it. an endless conveyor passing therethrough, and a separate reheatingr chamber through which the endless conveyor is adapted to pass, and sepa rate means for hea-ting' it, a gas tight seal between the two chambers comprising a pool of molten metal through which the endless conveyor is adapted to be passed, the entrance and exit of the endless conveyor into and out of the reheating chamber being at points beneath the surface of said molten material.

5. In a coling oven a distillation chamber and an endless conveyor passing therethrough, a combustion chamber Yadjacent said distillation chamber and means for separating: said distillation and combustion chambers comprising a seal of liquid material, the vaporiZ-ation point of which is higher than the temperature of the cokinfr process.

6. ln a coking oven a distillation chamber and means for heating it, an endless conveyor passino' therethrough, a reheatinglj chamber through which the endless conveyor passes and separate means tor heating it.

7. In a eokingr oven comprising a distillation chamber and means for heating it, an endless conveyor adapted to pass therethrough. a reheating chamber through Which said endless conveyor is adapted to pass, lio'uid seals between said distillation and reheatine` chambers comprisingr material having` a vaporization point higher than the temperature of the colring process.

8. In a coking oven, a distillation chamber and means for heating it, an endless conveyor adapted to pass therethrough. a reheating chamber through which said endless conveyor is adapted `to pass. the ioor of the distillation chamber comprising a directly heated layer of heat transmitting.r material., the conveyor comprisingT a plurality of dat bottomed conveying plates adapted to rest directly thereupon.

9. ln a colring,r oven, a distillation chamber and means for heating` it, an endless conveyor adapted to pass therethrough, a reheatingr chamber through which said endless conveyor is adapted to pass. a liquid seal between the distillation and the reheatin g chambers comprising material having a vaporization point higher than the temperature of the coking process, means Jtor carrying the endless conveyor beneath the surface of said liquid seal, supporting.;` elements alonglj the sides of said reheatingchamber, and guiding means adapted to guide said conveyor thereto.

10. In a colting oven, a distillation chamber and means for heating it, an endless conveyor adapted to pass therethrough, a reheatinp chamber through which said endless conveyor is adapted to pass, a seal oi" molten lead between the distillation and the rehcating chambers, and heating means adapted to maintain said lead in molten condition,

11. A coke oven comprising a distillation chamber and an endless conveyor adapted to pass therethrough, means for depositing the material to be distilled upon the upper surlace oic said endless conveyor, a plurality ot transverse partitions adapted to divide the distillation chamber into a plurality of units, and means for separately drawing oli' the products of distillation from each of said units.

12. In a colting oven having` a distillation chamber With a. directly heated bottom surtace, a conveyor comprising a plurality of fiat bottomed plates adapted directly to contact said heated surface.

13. A distillation apparatus for solids containing volatiles which consists of a distillation chamber, a heated and heat transmitting floor therefor, and a combustion chamber lying beneath said floor and adapted to heat it, and an endless conveyor adapted to pass across said heat transmitting floor and means for del ivering the material to be distilled to the upper surface of said endless conveyor.

let. A distillation apparatus for solids containing volatiles which consists of a distillation chamber, a heated and heat transmitting floor therefor, and a combustion chamber lying beneath said vHoor and adapted to heat it, and a conveyor adapted to travel across said floor comprising a plurality of flat bottomed plates adapted directly to contact said heated Hoor.

15. A distillation apparatus for solids containing volatiles which consists of a distillation chamber, a heated and heat transmitting; floor therefor, and a combustion chamber lying beneath said floor and adapted to heat it, the conveyor for said apparatus comprising a plurality of Hat bottomed plates adapted directly to engage the heated floor, and means for conveying said plates across said floor.

16. A distillation apparatus for solids containing volatiles which consists of a distillation chamber, a heated and heat transmitting lioor therefor, and a combustion chamber lying beneath said floor and adapted to heat it, the conveyor for said apparatus comprising a plurality of flat bottomed plates adapted directly to engage the heated floor, means tor conveying said plates across said rfloor, and means for controlling the speed of said conveyor.

17. A distillation apparatus for solids containingr volatiles which consists of a distillation chamber, a heated and heat transmitting,` floor therefor, and a combustion chamber lying beneath said door and adapted to heat it, an endless conveyor and means for movingr it through said distillation chamber, the conveyor comprising a plurality of jointed flat bottomed plates.

18. A distillation apparatus for solids containing volatiles which consists ot a distillation chamber, a heated and heat transmitting Hoor therefor, and a combustion chamber lying, beneath said loor and adapted to heat it, the conveyor for said apparatus comprising a plurality of tlat bottomed plates adapted directly to engage the heated floor, means for conveying said plates across said floor, means for controlling the speed of said conveyor, means for supply-- ing the material to be distilled to said conveyor adjacent its point of entrance into the distillation chamber, and means, adjacent its point of exit from said chamber for removing the solid residue.

19. A distillation apparatus for solids containing volatiles which consists of a distillation chamber, a solid floor therefor, and means for heating it, a continuous flexible conveyor and means for passing it forward along and in direct contact with said floor, means for delivering the material to be distilled to said conveyor, said conveyor adapted to support said material in direct contact with its upper surface during its passage through the distillation chamber.

20. A distillation apparatus for distilling volatiles without agitation of the solids, which comprises a distillation chamber, a heated licor therefor, and means beneath said floor for heating it, a conveyor adapted to be moved across said floor and to remain in contact therewith throughout the area of said conveyor and means for delivering the material to be distilled to said conveyor adjacent its entrance into the distillation chamber, said conveyor adapted to support said material in undisturbed contact with its upper surface throughout the passage of said material through the distillation chamber.

2l. A distillation apparatus for distilling volatiles without agitation of the solids, which comprises a distillation chamber, a heated floor therefor, and means beneath said licor for heating it, a conveyor adapted to be moved across said loor and to remain in contact therewith throughout the area of said conveyor and means for delivering the material to be distilled to said conveyor adjacent its entrance into the distillation chamber, said conveyor adapted to support said material in undisturbed contact throughout its passage through the distillation chamber, and means for varying the speed of the conveyor and for discharging the residue of distillation at a point beyond the exit of the conveyor from the distillation chamber.

22. In a coking oven., a distillation chamber and means for heating it comprising a horizontal floor and combustion chambers therebeneabh, an endless conveyor, one strand of said conveyor adapted to pass across and in ldirect and constant contact with said floor, a reheating chamber near said distillation chamber and means for passing the endless conveyor therethrough, means for heating said reheating chamber and a gas proof seal between the distillation chamber and. the reheating chamber at either end thereof.

23. In a eoking oven, a distillation chamber and means for heating it comprising a horizontal floor and combustion chambers therebeneath, an endless conveyor', one strand of said conveyor adapted to pass across and in direct and constant contact with said floor, a reheating chamber near said distillation chamber and means for passing the endless conveyor therethrough, means for heating said reheating chamber and a gas proof seal between the distillation chamber and the reheating chamber at either end thereof, comprising a liquid bath of material non-volatile at the working temperature of the apparatus.

24. In a colring oven having a distillation chamber and a heating chamber, a conveyor adapted to pass through both said chambers, a gas proof seal therebetween through which the conveyor is adapted to pass, comprising a liquid non-volatile at the working temperature of the apparatus.

25. In a coleing oven having a distillation chamber and a heating chamber, a conveyor adapted to pass through both said chambers, a gas proof seal therebetween through which the conveyor is adapted to pass, comprising a liquid non-volatile at the working temperature of the apparatus, and means for carrying the conveyor beneath the surface thereof and means for maintaining the bath in liquid condition.

26. In a coking oven, a distillation chamber and means for heating it, an endless conveyor adapted to pass therethrough, a reheating chamber through which said endless conveyor is adapted to pass, the floor of the distillation chamber comprising a directly heated layer of heat transmitting material, a plurality of separate combustion zones lying therebeneath and means for separately regulating the temperature thereof.

27. In a coling oven having a 'distillation chamber with a directly heated bottom surface, a conveyor comprising a plurality of fiat bottomed. plates adapted directly to contact said heated surface, scrapers on the bottom of said plates adapted to scrape therefrom any colte which may penetrate beneath the conveyor.

28. In a coking oven, a distillation cham-- ber, an endless conveyor passing therethrough, a reheating chamber through which said endless conveyor passes, means for heating said distillation chamber and said reheating chamber and means for preventing the passage of volatiles therebetween.

29. In a colring oven having a distillation chamber with a directly heated bottom suface, a conveyor' comprising a plurality of flat bottomed plates adapted directly to contact said heated surface, and means for varying the speed of said conveyor.

I 30. A distillation apparatus for solids Containing volatiles which consists of a ditillation Chamber, a heated and heat transmitting l'loor therefor, and a combustion chamber lying beneath Said 'looi and adapted to heatJ it, and an endless conveyoi` adapted to pass aoioss said heat transmittlng floor mea-ns for delivering the material to be 'distilled to the nppei1 surface of said endless conveyor, and means for oon- 10 trolling` the thicknese of the layer of 1naterial so delivered.

Signed at l-lnntingl'on, county o'l Cabell and State of West Virginia, this 5th day of September, 1922.

RALPH DAVID LAME. 

